The psychological toll on soldiers is high when they are sent to war. The stress of military life can create a lot of tension for those who serve their country. Attachment needs, professional duties, and institutional norms must be balanced. Military service involves being away from home, family, and friends. These factors contribute to feelings of loneliness that make it difficult to maintain strong emotional bonds. When a soldier has strong attachments back home, they may feel conflicted about serving in combat zones where death is possible. They may feel guilty about leaving loved ones behind while risking life and limb. This creates an internal conflict between the need to protect themselves and their unit members and the desire to stay close to family members. Soldiers may even be ordered to kill someone they view as a friend or relative during wartime. Professional duties take precedence over personal attachments, making them difficult to reconcile.
Soldiers must follow strict rules and regulations set by their commanders. Institutional norms dictate how they should act in certain situations.
They cannot fraternize with civilians or break curfew. If they do so, they could face disciplinary action or discharge from the military. Conflicts arise between these norms and attachment needs because soldiers often form deep connections with locals while deployed overseas. They develop empathy for the people they meet and want to help them in whatever way they can.
This can lead to violating institutional norms and causing problems within the military community.
The psychological cost of warfare is high, especially when soldiers are unable to balance attachment needs, professional duties, and institutional norms. They experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It is important for leaders to recognize these conflicts and provide support services to those affected. Mental health professionals should be available on base to assist those who struggle with trauma. Leaders should also ensure that soldiers have adequate time off to spend with loved ones. This will help them maintain strong emotional bonds and reduce feelings of isolation.
How do soldiers navigate conflicts between attachment needs, professional duties, and institutional norms?
As soldiers face challenges of maintaining personal relationships during deployments and dealing with institutional demands while away from home, they often encounter conflicts that can make it difficult for them to fulfill their attachment needs, perform their professional duties, and adhere to institutional norms. The process of navigating these conflicts requires balancing different priorities, coping with separation anxiety, managing negative affective states, and making decisions about communication and interaction patterns.